Historic C’ville corner gets a new caretaker

The property at 404 Main St. in Centerville will remain unique even after the sign for Unique Real Estate comes down.

Edward F. Maroney

TURNING THE CORNER – The former Unique Real Estate office in Centerville will be the new home of Mark Sylvia Insurance.

Mark Sylvia Insurance moves in at 404 Main

The property at 404 Main St. in Centerville will remain unique even after the sign for Unique Real Estate comes down.

Sold for $540,000 on Feb. 10 through Ali Maloney of West Barnstable’s AMG Realty, the property will become the new home of Mark Sylvia Insurance, now located in Osterville.

The site, next to the village’s veterans’ memorials, has a long history dating back to the 1800s. It was the location of the Centerville Trading Company and is said to have remained a store into the 1960s.

“We’re really happy to expand the business into the Centerville market,” said Terri Orlando, senior account manager at Sylvia. “It’s such a unique location, and everyone’s familiar with it. Hopefully, it will bring nice opportunities.”

Sylvia has been in business 20 years in Osterville, and “he needs more room,” Orlando said. “He started the business with himself and one person and now we have nine people on staff. It’s time.”

The new owner is getting a well-preserved piece of local history, according to Maloney. She said Unique Real Estate broker owner Ann Ryan and her husband, painting company owner Mike Ryan, “treated that property in a very loving way for many years. Mike treated it like it’s his home. As a painter, he pays attention to everything.”

Attempts to contact the Ryans before press time were unsuccessful.

Sylvia Insurance plans to be open in its new location Monday, Feb. 27.